The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-11-09
IN A BAD HOLE.
The Uncomfortable Dilemma In Which
the G. 0. T. Finds Itself.

the G.. o. r. Finds Itself.
Complications are arising in the Re-
publican party. Since the defeat OF
Blaine in 1884 the almost unanimous
sentiment of the party seemed to favor
his denomination in 1888. Sherman
booms were launched, Allison was
placed in training, Hawley's available
ity was suggested, Gresham and Ben
Harrison We're reviewed, but IN tho
end all working Republicans turned to
Blaine as the natural leader of the
party. There is no doubt still that
Blaine is the choice for President of an
overwhelming majority of the Repub.
licans. But is he available? This is
the question that the big minds of the
party are now asking, and the re-
sponses are not suggestive of hope for
the future. In fine, the Blaine senti-
| ment is not so unanimous as it was a
year or two ago. 1t is taken for
granted that the independent Re-
publicans who bolted the nomination
of Blaine in 1884 are ready to repeat
this performance next year. No effort
has been made by the Blaine people to
conciliate the Mugwumps, and many
conservative voters who supported
Blaine in 1884 because of general in
disposition to unsettle things by rad
ical change in the administration of
the Government, will support Glove
land next year for precisely the same
reason,
The long-headed leaders of the Re-
publican party see these things plain
ly, and while they are friendly to
Blaine they foresee that his nomina-
ton would mean inevitable defeat. 1t
is a game of party expediency against
personal choice. Blaine's immediate
followers say that the great popular
leader must be vindicated by another
nomination. The men who are for the
party first and Blaine afterwards as
sert that the party can not survive
+ another defeat, and that the conditions
l of the public mind are no more favor
; able to Blaine now than they wer
t three years ago.
: This does not present pleasant stat
s of affairs for the contemplation Q
G ardent Republicans. 1t IS a case c
: you're cursed if you do and your
cursed if you don't" If Blaine is nom
;, mated the far-seeing politicians predic
t. inevitable defeat. If Blaine is ne
: nominated are the chances of Repul
IS lican success any better? 1t is NJ
IS likely that Mr.. Blaine and his immed
e ate friends would tolerate the electio
le of any other Republican. The electio
+, of Republican candidate other tina
Blaine in 1883 would be condemn;
,e ton of Blaine SO pronounced that Il
lie amount of party fealty could excuse
% It would be a clear demonstration
,e the world that Blaine was solely +
d sponsible for the defeat of the Repu)
,e licans in 1884. This is something TIL
IN Blaine and his friends will hardly pc
Id NIT. What will be the result? II
n, Republicans will either have to nom
n nate Blaine and enter campaign
al which the wisest leaders of the par
al see nothing but inevitable defeat,
re nominate Lincoln, Sherman or Aliiso
10 either of whom Blaine, in self-defens
ct will have to assist the Democrats
b. defeating.
f. 1t is an uncomfortable dilemma +
the Republicans, but it is the logic
er the situation. ST. Luis Republican.